The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory comprises the results of an extensive peer survey. This comprehensive guide to legal talent in Canada identifies both leading lawyers and law firms from across the country.

The Lexpert CCCA Corporate Counsel Directory & Yearbook is a joint endeavour of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association and Lexpert. It provides the most extensive listing of corporate counsel in Canada.

The 2018 Lexpert Zenith Awards celebrate Mid-Career Excellence. Winners of the Lexpert Zenith Awards will have accomplishments in a Lexpert Practice Area, and a notable contribution in Social Responsibility.

2017 Zenith Award Winners

Maria Scarfo has spent her entire career at Blaney McMurtry,
becoming the first female managing partner in 2013 and
being unanimously reappointed in 2016. Maria’s style
is focused on mentorship and she develops talent by
encouraging others to succeed. A senior law professor
called her one of the two best students with whom he had
ever worked. Her great sense of humour, honed by improv
classes in university and performances at the after-hours pub,
along with her infectious laugh, contribute to her effective
management style. As managing partner, she demonstrates
daily how important empathy and listening are. She has the
ability to put people at ease and to make tough decisions and
build consensus without antagonizing people. Maria has also
been an outstanding litigator, successfully handling hundreds
of claims.

Muneeza Sheikh practises labour, employment, and human
rights law and is often referred to within the firm as a
“powerhouse.” Muneeza wants not only to practise law, but
to influence change. She believes in helping employers
shape practices to protect their employees from economic,
social and cultural displacement, and she regularly appears
in the media to speak on important employment issues. She
works to create a safe space for marginalized and excluded
minority groups to share their stories and gain a voice. She
recently spoke at a conference supporting Muslim women’s
resiliency in the face of Islamophobia. She has attended
several roundtables to speak on women’s rights, equality
in the workplace, diversity engagement and how women
can learn to climb the corporate ladder. Muneeza is a board
member and Director of Communications for the Canadian
Muslim Vote.

Jennifer Shilson is one of the most recognized and highly
sought after lawyers in Windsor and Essex County, as well
as a role model in the office of Miller Canfield. Jennifer has
served on the Miller Canfield management team for at least
six years, and as managing partner of the Canadian office for
the past three years. In 2013, Jennifer helped the Canadian
office transition from a controlled subsidiary to a financially
independent firm, which has since grown steadily in both
lawyers and revenue. In addition to practising law and
managing the firm, Jennifer finds times to act as a practice
principal for articling students and speaks at the University of
Windsor Law School on work/life balance and the challenges
women face practising law. Jennifer is a 20-year supporter
and long-standing director of local cancer charity Transition
to Betterness.

Megan Shortreed is an excellent litigator who has had a
transformative effect on her firm and the profession of law.
Megan’s leadership on the Law Society of Upper Canada’s
Justicia Initiative and her work on the Advocates’ Society
diversity task force has led to concrete advancements in the
law for women and members of racialized communities.
She served on the Retention of Women steering group, and
chaired working groups for: medium firms; compensation for
parental leaves; flexible work arrangements; and leadership.
She also led the implementation of those initiatives at Paliare
Roland. She has also worked tirelessly as a mentor to women
lawyers. Megan has served as director of Homes First Society
and chair of the Homes First Foundation. She was the inaugural
recipient of the Toronto Lawyers Association Honsberger
Award for ongoing contributions to the community.

As Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, Lisa Skakun leads
matters related to legal and compliance, people and culture,
government relations and corporate governance. The only
female senior executive when she was recruited in 2015, Lisa
launched innovative products and partnerships to extend
the brand, including a $50-million marketing deal with
Postmedia. She’s frequently featured in articles about the
complex regulatory world of fintech. Lisa has assembled an
all-female legal and HR group with a goal to increase board
diversity and spread a message that “the future of fintech is
female.” She is developing a code of conduct that includes
anti-harassment policies and implementing focus groups
on key employee issues. Lisa has been recognized by the
Canadian Board Diversity Council’s Diversity 50 (2015) and
won the National Post’s WCGCA “Tomorrow’s Leader” and the
Association of Women in Finance’s “Rising Star” awards.